Smells Like Louis Murphy Will Return
March 12th, 2017
A Friday hangout last week appears to be quite revealing when it comes to the Bucs’ plans at receiver.
New Bucs defensive tackle Chris Baker, the former Redskins standout, hopped on WDAE-AM 620 yesterday and talked all things Bucs and free agency.
Baker referenced having a Friday dinner with defensive coordinator Mike Smith and hanging out with Mike Evans and Louis Murphy on the same day.
The receivers were the only players Baker mentioned meeting personally. And after naming them he added, “I’m getting a chance to know the guys on the team. The guys have really been accepting.”
That’s all swell, except there’s one glitch: Murphy was cut by the Bucs in November.
So unless Murphy, 29, has lost his mind and is impersonating a Buccaneer, it sure seems like he’s has an understanding with Jason Licht and Dirk Koetter. For example, perhaps they told Murphy to be ready in case free agency and the draft leave them with a roster spot for a veteran receiver who knows the system.
With surprise loss last week of marginal receiver/special teams ace Russell Shepard to the Panthers in free agency, perhaps Murphy was in a celebratory mood on Friday and feeling like he is back in the mix.
Murphy hasn’t played since blowing his knee out 17 months ago. His comeback had a minor setback in October and the Bucs waved goodbye.
Depth at receiver concerns Joe. And while Murphy is a question mark, if he’s 100 percent now, Joe would love to have him compete for a No. 5 receiver/special teams role. He’d be an upgrade from everyone the Bucs rolled out opposite Mike Evans last year in November and December.
March 12th, 2017 at 3:20 pm
I’m down for that!!!
March 12th, 2017 at 3:22 pm
Hmmm, I don’t smell anything except questionable conclusions. Smells like a 5:00 tweet from the fascist assclown.
March 12th, 2017 at 3:24 pm
Kind of wish they would take a look at Brian Quick who used to be with the Rams. He has never had a good quarterback. Worth the risk for a #4 or 5 guy. You need depth in case someone goes down.
March 12th, 2017 at 3:30 pm
louis is a player people.
March 12th, 2017 at 3:32 pm
Its a draft with a lot of WR depth.
I could see us getting two mid to late round receivers
March 12th, 2017 at 3:36 pm
If Loui back to onehun I’m wit it. Him Hump and the cfl kid ME playedc with in school gone have a field day next season. The game about to be easy for these dudes now because you won’t be asking 3 and 4s to do and make plays that 1 and 2s should be called upon to execute.
March 12th, 2017 at 3:37 pm
Destin I agree, not a star but a player. Duke makes the play when called upon. They’ll be alot easier with ME and Jackpot on threes field I assure you all.
March 12th, 2017 at 3:39 pm
I’m open just me the throw me the d@$! ball.
March 12th, 2017 at 3:44 pm
Mike Evans, Desean Jackson, Adam Humphries … pretty good trio of WRs right there. Add in Derel Walker plus a draftee WR (this draft’s too deep in WRs not to draft one) plus Louis Murphy and that’d give us 6 WRs right there. And that’s before we count Joe’s favorites (Martino, Huff, Reedy and Dye). Now throw in Cam Brate and also draft an all-around TE like OJ Howard and Jameis will have a pretty impressive stable of receivers to throw to. Oops, forgot all those RBs he’s also got to spread the ball around to. Of course, there is an assumption that our OLine can protect him long enough to get the ball to those targets. Oh well, what good is a plan without assumptions.
March 12th, 2017 at 3:46 pm
I like Murphy but what counts more is that Jameis likes him. It’s way too early to be concerned about WR depth….It is likely we will draft at least 1 WR and there will be countless WRs available to us between now and the start of the season.
I think since Murphy knows the system it makes sense to have him in camp.
March 12th, 2017 at 4:17 pm
I thought DeSean Jackson returned punts, and no way Louis Murphy is as fast as he is.
March 12th, 2017 at 4:17 pm
Read a comment awhile ago about Jameis throwing for over 5000 yds this season. Sounded plausible until finding that it’s only been done 9 times in the history of the NFL it appears … Dan Marino, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Matthew Stafford & Drew Brees. Only 1 QB accomplished that more than once: Drew Brees … and he’s done it FIVE TIMES. Incredible. Looking at how he did it during those yrs, he spread the ball around to virtually all of his RBs, WRs & TEs, and he averaged about 68% completion in doing that. That’s impressive, and it demonstrates what it takes to top that magical 5000 mark. And oh ya, that was with an OLine that was very good at protecting him. Hopefully fans don’t put unrealistic expectations on Jameis. I for one would be perfectly happy with him passing for 4500 yds this yr and maybe about 35 TDs.
March 12th, 2017 at 4:31 pm
That’s a very reasonable goal I think Defense Rules. Winston should grow a little more as a QB and he will have an improved set of WRs so there should be some expectation of increased stats this season.
March 12th, 2017 at 4:32 pm
He should be considered as good as gone. Hard to believe Licht/Koetter can depend on him in a critical year.
March 12th, 2017 at 4:35 pm
I agree Joe, better than Dye, Martino, Reedy, Huff, etc. it would be a good upgrade in WR depth and I would draft one as well in the mid rounds as well.
March 12th, 2017 at 4:36 pm
I like DeDe Westbrook from OU in the 2nd or #rd depending who’s left for us at #19
March 12th, 2017 at 4:38 pm
Don’t forget we still have Josh Huff and no he won’t be returning kicks!
March 12th, 2017 at 4:54 pm
I like to think that murphy is a friend to mike evans who happens to be from the bay area which it is very understandable why they would be at dinner together. I mean friends can have dinner without there being an agreement/understanding from the bucs. How is having dinner with a friend impersonating a buc?
March 12th, 2017 at 5:12 pm
So perhaps this is why Sheppard was allowed to walk besides probably asking for too much given his role.
March 12th, 2017 at 5:17 pm
Louis Murphy could be our legitimate #3 WR.I bet 99%of Bucs fans prefer Murphy over Jackson.
March 12th, 2017 at 5:19 pm
This wide receiver draft is so deep, there is no reason why we should bring back a player who can’t even stay on the field.
Friendships don’t win championships. Playmakers do.
March 12th, 2017 at 5:46 pm
Shep is a marginal receiver? I guess we will see how he does in Carolina. He was just coming into his own at wr in my opinion.
March 12th, 2017 at 5:48 pm
I dunno Joe, I hang out with people that I used to work with, and frankly I don’t think it’s all that unusual. Perhaps you’re reading too much into everything here.
March 12th, 2017 at 6:03 pm
I agree with you, JonBuc…. It was a bone-headed move to let him walk (provided the assumption that he wanted to stay in the same or reduced role).
March 12th, 2017 at 6:07 pm
Yay. He can collect money for being injured again…it’s only been 4 YEARS since he’s been healthy!
March 12th, 2017 at 6:27 pm
Dude is injured almost as much as Sean Lee
I see no value in bringing him back.
March 12th, 2017 at 7:07 pm
right because 4500 yards with 35 touchdowns isn’t unrealistic
March 12th, 2017 at 7:39 pm
Draft Josh Reynolds. Very good now, High ceiling
Resign Vincent Jackson
That is a talented, deep Wr corp.
Best in Team history
March 12th, 2017 at 8:07 pm
I think people are sleeping on Josh Huff! With an offseason he could pretty good for us!
March 12th, 2017 at 8:07 pm
be*
March 12th, 2017 at 8:10 pm
There are a 100 more important areas and people to concern ourselves with and write about than a #5 – possible – WR who is past his “prime” (if he had one”….I sure hope we have better options that are younger and with upside
March 12th, 2017 at 8:16 pm
That is interesting that he was in the conversation with DJax but I don’t see the big deal, if he his healthy and will earn a roster spot then he is worthy. They will chose the right combination as they go through the process.
March 12th, 2017 at 8:53 pm
BeeBucs the only thing I’ve seen out of Huff is his ability to routinely returns kicks inside our 5. Never want to see him in a Bucs uni again.
March 12th, 2017 at 9:11 pm
Josh huff and that kid we signed from Canada could be sleepers for us.
March 12th, 2017 at 9:20 pm
Huff has got the speed we crave! Shepard was a rising Wr but we have to produce now. Get Curtis Samuels in the 2nd round. Evans, Djax, hump, Samuels, and then Huff also take a one year flyer on V Jax at vet league min. Use in as a second te in 2 te packages and Line up outside on goal line.
March 12th, 2017 at 9:35 pm
Listen up, D Dye has the biggest upside after Hump. If your gonna keep an unknown thats who it will be.
However, VJax solidifies the #5 or the least talented of our starting 5 WTs. So the only question is… Can we draft a solid number 4 and give a couple spots to a draftee, Dye and Murphy if thats who we give PSquad reps to…
In other words. LM is a practice squad guy at best at this point… That WOULD BE AN EXCELLENT ROLE FOR HIM ALL AROUND…
Shep would have had to fill that role if he wanted to be a WR this year… GOOD FOR HIM to want more… To bad for us that we are suddenly rich at WR… Not so much down the line…
March 12th, 2017 at 9:36 pm
If Murphy is healthy bring him back. He is a burner with great hands and a clutch receiver who knows our system. Huff had his chance and was a BUST; Martino is dependable and could replace Hump if he went down. Should Jackson go down Murphy could take over his place.
March 12th, 2017 at 9:39 pm
Louis Murphy is a Saint Pete native.
Went to Lakewood Highschool.
He is also a Gator.
He’ll be back
March 12th, 2017 at 9:39 pm
And yes VJax will be back to ball out if he dont retire… My hope is he wanta a ring and sticks around for a couple uears to be a KEY role player for JW#3…
So sick if he is willing and the body will allow… Both should not be a problem as he has been a pros pro in TAMPA…
LOVE YOU BRO…. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE work something out to keep the Jacksons together for the sake of TAMPA:-)
March 12th, 2017 at 9:44 pm
I like murph more than hump. I just wish murph could stay healthy. He is a good situational wr. I wouldbt want him to be a #1 or 2, but as a 3 or 4 in passing situations he can certainly get ipen against 3rd or 4th CB. He had good speed before the injuries, if he can still spin his wheels, then he is a good guy to keep around.
March 12th, 2017 at 10:56 pm
Good depth at a discount. Sorry for the guys that have to fly back to Canada. They can’t all be Warren Moon
March 12th, 2017 at 10:59 pm
Glad my comments are being moderated. Wouldn’t want to engage too heavily in a football conversation or anything like that.
Oops?
March 13th, 2017 at 12:49 am
Jab83
Couldn’t agree more! Everyone seems to forget that V.Jackson was our starter when he got hurt. This man still has game! Lets be smart- and play him smart.
If we limit his snaps, and keep him out of crossing routes, He can still be deadly on 3rd downs and Red Zone situations.
And the man has been one of the most talented and highest character players in Buc History. If this team every had a role model, Its Vincent Jackson.
If I had a son- Id be happy if he idolized Jackson!
None of that has anything to do with the”produce now” NFL. But if he still wants to play, he should. Noone is a better example of what a Buccaneer is, to the new players. And he is deadly on 3rd downs.
If he wants to play- Vincent Jackson needs to be on this team
March 13th, 2017 at 6:47 am
JAB83, practice squad is for players with 2 years or less on an NFL 53-man roster. Murphy disqualified himself for practice squad after his 6th game of 3rd season with the Raiders, back in 2011. He cannot be signed to practice squad.
Capt Tim: If he wants to play, VJ needs to be on this team? Does VJ own the team? No? Then VJ doesn’t get to be on the team just because he wants to play. This is real life, not a Disney movie.
March 13th, 2017 at 8:26 am
Didn’t Murphy score a TD once?
March 16th, 2017 at 6:29 pm
Louis Murphy was a player with nice upside for the Bucs if he’s healthy let him compete. Meanwhile go ahead and draft Dede Westbrook in the 2nd. Licht is going to have people with itchy trigger fingers this draft.